I think it’s safe to say that nothing like the ugly verbal tirades aimed at President Trump by Senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker has ever happened before in a major political party. Can you imagine a couple of rogue Democrats trying a stunt like that aimed at Barack Obama? They would have been banished to Mogadishu.

I’ve given a lot of thought to the Flake-Corker outbursts in an effort to try to understand their psyches, and I’ve concluded that it’s not so much a political issue but, rather, a psychological problem. By psychological problem, I mean that I don’t believe either Flake or Corker are deranged or hateful, even though they may seem so to many observers.

In all honesty, I believe both men are sincere in their remarks about President Trump. However, a person can be sincere and also be wrong. Or, simply put, he can be sincerelywrong.

In other words, Flake and Corker sincerely believe that Donald Trump’s egotism, crudeness, and lack of verbal skills are more important than his determination to implement an agenda that puts America first. They sincerely believe in incoherencies like George H.W. Bush’s “kinder, gentler America” and George W. Bush’s “compassionate conservatism” (which, of course, is a redundancy), both which imply that America is a mean-spirited nation.

Above all, they sincerely believe in making nice to the Dirty Dems in an effort to win their approval. They are seemingly oblivious to the fact that the Dirty Dems are determined to destroy any Republican who stands in the way of their desire for permanent control of the levers of power in Washington. They sincerely do not understand that those on the Radical Left are so consumed by hatred and an arrogant sense of moral superiority that it’s impossible to placate them.

As we all know, progressivism is a mental disorder that can stem from many different causes. For example, I actually believe there are some on the left who are sincerely misguided in their quest to help those they deem to be oppressed.

But there are also many lefties —e.g., Barack Obama, Horrible Hillary, and Eric Holder — who have zero interest in improving the lives of those who are impoverished or even those in the middle class. Their sole motivation is money and power, and they are perfectly willing to lie, steal, cheat — and, yes, resort to violence, if necessary — in order to accomplish their ends.

However, I don’t believe that’s the case with Flake and Corker or millions of other angry progressives. In most cases, it’s simply their belief that they are morally superior to the average person that is the main driver behind their words and actions.

Yes, Jeff Flake’s speech on the Senate floor was impressive (in an odd sort of way), but it reeked of self-righteousness. It was no more moral than Barack Obama’s endless, lie-filled, sanctimonious lectures in which he scolds his enemies for being too “divisive.” What chutzpah. Oh, yes, and let us not forget his favorite piece of gibberish, “This is not who we are as Americans.”

Obama’s legendary divide-and-conquer rhetoric — e.g., “We’re gonna punish our enemies and we’re gonna reward our friends” and “If they bring a knife to the fight, we bring a gun” — is still fresh in the minds of those who are sincerely right. They understand that the mantra “by any means necessary” is how Marxists justify their nefarious deeds.

It was quite an eye-opener when John McCain, who is almost always sincerely wrong, said of Obama on the 2008 campaign trail, “I admire Senator Obama and his accomplishments, and I will respect him.” Hmm … come to think of it, maybe I’m being too hard on McCain. Maybe he wasn’t being sincere when he said something that ludicrous.

All this denial stuff even carries over to Michelle Obama. Yes, I’m talking about the sweet former FLOTUS who once famously announced to the world, when hubby won the presidency without having to be inconvenienced by vetting, “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m proud of my country.”

Then, when the country had had enough of her husband’s anti-freedom, anti-American, commie policies and took a pass on his puppet heir, Horrible Hillary, Michelle tearfully told Oprah, “We are feeling like what not having hope feels like.” Not real literate, but, hey, what do you expect from an underprivileged Princeton graduate?

So what does all this have to do with Flake and Corker? Plenty, because they, and millions of other Republicans like them, have been sincerely wrong about both Obamas as well as the true nature of the Dirty Dems for at least the past ten years. Likewise, those who admire Flake and Corker for “having the courage to speak out” believe that those who support the kind of populism Donald Trump is promoting are sincerely wrong as well.

Of course, it’s all in the eyes of the beholder. Hard-core populists believe that people like Jeff Flake, Bob Corker, and other establishment Republicans are the ones who are sincerely wrong for not understanding that the more civil you are to the Dirty Dems, the more determined they are to destroy you. That’s why the focus should always be on fighting fire with fire and trying to destroy them first.

All this being said, I don’t think we should be too hard on Jeff Flake and Bob Corker. Their attacks on Donald Trump are rooted in the sanctimonious nature that became ingrained in them as a result of too many years in the D.C. swamp. To borrow a phrase from Jeff Flake, it is they who are in a state of denial.

Perhaps a couple of years in a populist reeducation camp could help cleanse them of their self-righteousness — as well as their remarkable penchant for being sincerely wrong so much of the time.

+Robert Ringer is an American icon whose unique insights into life have helped millions of readers worldwide. He is also the author of two New York Times #1 bestselling books, both of which have been listed by The New York Times among the 15 best-selling motivational books of all time.

I think that's what drives me the most nuts is when people are trying to be nice to the people who are clearly NOT nice. They're playing by a completely different set of rules. They're Jenga and we're Monopoly.
I hope we can continue to drain the swamp of these idiots.
And, please wish me a happy birthday LOL. It's my 50th. I still get excited over it.

Great article well stated sir. The progressives, and those that agree with them are devoid
of any restraints on getting what they think they want (OWO utopia). Dam the country
divide and conquer , and the media lap dogs bark in unison.

It should also be noted that people can be become incredibly "sincere" concerning their opinions on certain issues, when they are receiving financial gain related to those same opinions. Then, later, when their financial ties change, suddenly their "sincerity" shifts in another direction. We have a great capacity to shift our sincerity depending on who is writing us the check, especially if we have no core values–values we are not willing to compromise, regardless of pay.
The aforementioned politicians "sincerity" could also easily be understood by "following the money".

I first read LOF1 in 1988. It started me on a chain of discoveries…from the Libertarian Party, to Restoring the American Dream, to Ayn Rand to von Mises, to Thomas Sowell, etc etc. Along with WTI, LOF1 has had a greater influence on me than any other book. (That includes Ayn Rand.)

Mr. Ringer
Always enjoy your commentary but think you are letting Corker and Flake
of the hook with this piece . They are self serving , lying politicians .
Present themselves to voters as conservatives when they are not .
Show their real colors when unable to get themselves re elected.
Angry at Pres. Trump for calling them out.
Game over, more to be " unmasked "

There is a case to be made that there no longer exists a Democratic Party, rather a Marxist Party. The Republican Party has morphed into the Centrist Party and the party of appeasement. Unfortunately the Libertarian Party isn't taken seriously. Where does that leave us? A very confused country with no real opposition to the "take and redistribute" crowd. So while many may be sincere and wrong they are still able to run this ship of state into an iceberg and then wonder what the hell happened!

I met Jeff Flake in Cottonwood, AZ, at his office some years back. The consensus (mine included) seemed to be that he was a 'Goldwater' conservative – a bit Libertarian on a lot of 'social' issues, but conservative where government came in. Initially, I thought he might be able to move AZ further towards a Libertarian state (thirty years ago, I thought similarly about McCain, with his 'rebellious' streak).

How wrong I was – his voting record speaks volumes. Jeff Flake is essentially a Liberal in RINO clothing. Once elected, he's voted against nearly every Conservative issue on the ballot.

Pleased to hear he's not seeking re-election. Would love to hear McCain say the same. AZ is becoming more 'left-leaning' every year it seems. Large population centers like Phoenix and Tucson are the culprits – the smaller towns still are primarily Conservative, and on social issues, most seem to have a 'live-and-let-live' attitude.

Hopefully, we folks out here can try to move AZ back to the political stance we used to have so long ago. We have a long way to go, judging by the recent protests and 'road-blocking' by the Liberal Left.

As always, thank you for your insight, and everyone's comments as well. I live here, and believe me – I understand the issues with our local politicians!
JVE

It will be interesting to see if Jeffy Flake can get a real job now. He became a politician because he was a lousy Attorney. He became an Attorney because he was too lazy to work. I still believe that Term Limits, in all elected offices, is the best solution for this country.

Both Flake, lols…….rightfully named, and Corker need a one-way ticket to Mogadishu, along with all the RINOs and Radic-Lib Republicrats and Demopublicans!!! As the Herman's Hermits song goes, "What a Wonderful World This Would Be!"

Great article Robert
Fellow Republicans stated that Corker and Flake were "Drama Queens" to begin with so good riddance. People get hung up on President Trump personality which is an arrogance not see in any previous president but we need an SOB in the WH and not some mr nice guy. Leo D said it best, "nice guys finish last".

Any politician can and does say anything that he/she thinks will react well with the voters. When G. W. Bush ran for the very first time back in 2000, I remember listening to him and thinking that he sounds almost Libertarian on many issues, including non-interference with other nations! Always, always, always look at what they DO as opposed to what they say!

Flake and Corker are owned men who are sucking up to their bosses so that maybe they'll land a fine "job" after their political careers are toast. Nearly all the reps and sens are owned. Oppo research is nasty and real.

Establishmentarians like Cork & Flake don't feel the wrongness of their ideas and beliefs like regular folk do. That's why they are labeled establishment elite – they're protected and not exposed to the crap we have to live with in making a living, especially making a living while Barack Obama has us financially enslaved to pay the bills for government largesse, including welfare for millions.

“I have little interest in streamlining government or in making it more efficient, for I mean to reduce its size. I do not undertake to promote welfare, for I propose to extend freedom. My aim is not to pass laws, but to repeal them. It is not to inaugurate new programs, but to cancel old ones that do violence to the Constitution.” – Barry Goldwater

Corker, Flake and all the rest are full of shit. All of their political rhetoric combined doesn't add up to one paragraph of guys like Goldwater. The only thing I didn't like about Goldwater was he was one tough-ass SOB. So tough, in fact, that had he been elected president he would likely have fought a nuclear war with the USSR… Other than that fatal conceit, Goldwater was nearly perfect..

Regarding Trump: I still support him; however, with three battle groups now heading to North Korea, Nuclear Forces going on 24hr/7day alert and Vice President Pence making speeches to the nuclear missile launch crews that Goldwater would have made, I have concluded that Trump, Pence, The JCS, Defense Secretary Mad Dog and The Deep State are not bluffing on North Korea… There is going to be mushroom clouds or a denuclearization of North Korea before Trump leaves office. Unless, of course, Trump leaves office the same way JFK did. Feet first.

Part of Pence's speech to the Minot Nuclear missile launch crews:

We are entering a very dangerous time, and I have come here personally to tell you that you may receive a Launch Order in the near future. I want you to know that we have planned for all contingencies, but it is possible that things may escalate beyond what we believe will take place. If you receive a properly formatted launch order, you launch. Don’t waste time trying to confirm the order, because it is not standard operating procedure for you to delay like that. If you get a launch order, carry it out.”

Your words "morally superior," caught my eye. I wrote a popular song "Get In The Game" (not published nor commercially recorded, yet) that touches upon that subject, with some of its most poignant lyrics going…."If you become a workin' man you're livin' like a sap, we all know it's the little guy who always takes the rap. The boys who sip the brandy on the Beltway social scene, are screwing all of us to death from their jets and limousines. You gotta get in the game, Boy, the world is going insane, Boy, the freedom that you once knew, and your privacy too, they're now a joke that's on you, Boy."

"I think it’s safe to say that nothing like the ugly verbal tirades aimed at President Trump by Senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker has ever happened before in a major political party. Can you imagine a couple of rogue Democrats trying a stunt like that aimed at Barack Obama? They would have been banished to Mogadishu."

Well, there was Traficante, D. from Ohio, who blasted away at the Clintons mercilessly. They finally got the FBI to entrap him somehow for corruption, selling a vote, and put him away to prison. And brought in heavy guns to prevent his reelection.

I remember Paul Finley, a Dem who blasted the Israeli lobby. They got him un-elected too.

The pro-life Dems against Obamacare, in my opinion, backed down and changed their vote after their main champion Sen. Stupak, had a "private conversation" with Obama. He immediately quit Congress, refusing to run again.

Good points. It's always nice to read comments from somebody who cares enough to remember the past. James Traficant was interviewed by Alex Jones many times. And I always enjoyed listening to James pound away at the Dirty Dems…

Here is a paradox of "conservatism" or "libertarianism" that I've never gotten around: the writer says that "compassionate conservatism" is a redundancy, but the rhetoric is anything but compassionate. If I have any leanings away from the populist, libertarian, conservative world-view, I am mocked as mentally ill or evil, and deserve a stay in a reeducation camp. I've never been able to become conservative because it seems that to become conservative means becoming incredibly nasty to my perceived enemies.

I would not use the name Corker and word sincere in the same sentence. Note that Corker is Mr. Bold and Righteous when criticizing Trump (now that he was rejected for Sec. Of State), but he was a spineless jellyfish when tasked with interrogating Hillary Clinton for her email and other crimes in a Senate inquiry. He congratulated her profusely, and filibustered away him time with great deference to her. I'm sure he wanted to be in her good graces when she became the inevitable President. Being from Tennessee, I well remember our RINO Gov. Don Sundquist some 20 yrs ago. When running for his 2nd and final term, he VOWED in no uncertain terms to oppose an Income Tax for Tennessee, vowing to VETO such if the Democratic legislature were to pass it. Upon reelection, he quickly insisted that Tennessee could not survive without an income tax!!! He was adamant, but the citizens opposed it….going so far as circling the Capitol Building blowing horse non stop. The legislature caved in an nixed the tax. Today Tennessee has a healthy surplus, and booming economy. Bob Corker was Sundquist's right hand man at the time urging on the treacherous betrayal of the voters who placed their trust in Sunquist. Corker is a two faced weasel.

Once one reads Robert's iconic "Winning Through Intimidation," politicians' motives are easily discernible simply by applying the "Three-Type Theory" to their actions according to party, campaign, and voting records.

Here are the current Type assignments for Congress:

Type One: All Democrats, also Independents (whom used to be Type Two). These people are straight out of the block and absolutely dictate they want your conservative chips.

Type Two: All Establishment Republicans who don't and never did run as conservatives but state they have conservative ideals. In particular, they vote conservative every time they know it will not be implemented. In this way they take your conservative chips in a more devious manner.

Type Three: All Republicans who ran as conservatives but drifted to the center to join the Establishment Republicans. These individuals may actually have had conservative intentions but got seduced by the progressives and now want your conservative chips rather than fight to protect them.

This is why Primary campaigns are far more important for conservatives than the general election, and right now the Type 2's and 3's are doing all they can to camouflage any effective conservative action within the primary. (David Brat is an exception, only because he was going against an Establishment Republican leader, who by relative inference is depicted as Type 1 by more conservatives.)